18 Fall Recipes That Will Make You Lose Weight Fast
Fall is my favorite time of year. There’s something about the crisp air, the vibrant leaves, and the cozy sweaters that just makes everything feel better. And of course, fall brings some of the best foods. Unfortunately, all those delicious pumpkin pies and hearty stews can wreak havoc on our waistlines.
But who says you can’t enjoy the flavors of autumn while still losing weight? With these 18 fall recipes that will make you lose weight fast, you can indulge in your seasonal cravings guilt-free.
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1. Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal
Pumpkin spice up your breakfast with this healthy oatmeal.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 2 cups water or almond milk
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1 tbsp maple syrup (optional)
- A pinch of salt
Instructions:
- In a saucepan, bring water or almond milk to a boil.
- Add the oats and salt and reduce to a simmer.
- Stir in the pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice.
- Cook for 5 minutes or until the oats are tender.
- Drizzle with maple syrup if desired before serving.
2. Butternut Squash Soup
This creamy, low-calorie soup is perfect for warming up on a chilly fall evening.
Ingredients:
- 1 medium butternut squash, peeled and cubed
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup light coconut milk
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil for sautéing
Instructions:
- In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat.
- Sauté the onions and garlic until fragrant.
- Add the butternut squash and vegetable broth.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes until squash is tender.
- Using an immersion blender, puree the soup until smooth.
- Stir in the coconut milk and season with salt and pepper.
3. Apple and Spinach Salad
This salad combines crisp autumn apples with nutrient-packed spinach.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups fresh spinach, washed
- 1 apple, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
- 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinaigrette
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, combine spinach, apple slices, and walnuts.
- Toss with balsamic vinaigrette.
- Top with crumbled feta cheese.
4. Roasted Brussels Sprouts
These crispy, flavorful Brussels sprouts are a fantastic side dish.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Toss Brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Spread them out on a baking sheet.
- Roast for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.
5. Grilled Chicken and Sweet Potato
This hearty dish is packed with protein and vitamins.
Ingredients:
- 2 chicken breasts
- 2 large sweet potatoes, sliced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt, pepper, and paprika
Instructions:
- Preheat the grill.
- Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Grill chicken for 6-7 minutes on each side or until cooked through.
- Toss sweet potato slices with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Grill sweet potatoes for 4-5 minutes on each side.
6. Spaghetti Squash Primavera
Light and flavorful, this dish is a low-carb twist on pasta.
Ingredients:
- 1 large spaghetti squash
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 zucchini, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Olive oil
- Salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Cut spaghetti squash in half, remove seeds, and brush with olive oil.
- Place cut side down on a baking sheet and bake for 40 minutes.
- In a skillet, sauté garlic in olive oil until fragrant.
- Add cherry tomatoes, zucchini, and bell pepper. Cook until tender.
- Use a fork to scrape out strands of spaghetti squash, then toss with the veggies.
- Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
7. Pear and Walnut Salad
A crunchy, sweet, and savory salad that’s perfect for fall.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups mixed greens
- 1 pear, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup walnuts, toasted
- 1/4 cup Gorgonzola cheese, crumbled
- 2 tbsp light vinaigrette
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, combine mixed greens, pear slices, and walnuts.
- Toss with a light vinaigrette.
- Top with Gorgonzola cheese.
8. Turkey Chili
A lean twist on the classic comfort food.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
- In a large pot, sauté onion and garlic until translucent.
- Add ground turkey; cook until browned.
- Stir in bell pepper, kidney beans, and diced tomatoes.
- Season with chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
9. Roasted Carrot and Ginger Soup
A warming, zesty soup that's perfect for lunch.
Ingredients:
- 6 large carrots, peeled and chopped
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-inch piece of ginger, peeled and grated
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Toss carrots with olive oil, salt, and pepper; roast for 25-30 minutes.
- In a large pot, sauté onion and garlic until translucent.
- Add roasted carrots, ginger, and vegetable broth.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Puree the soup until smooth.
10. Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes
A low-carb alternative to traditional mashed potatoes.
Ingredients:
- 1 head cauliflower, chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp butter
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Bring a pot of water to a boil.
- Add cauliflower and cook until tender (about 10-15 minutes).
- Drain and transfer to a food processor.
- Add garlic, Parmesan cheese, butter, salt, and pepper.
- Blend until smooth.
11. Cabbage and Apple Slaw
A refreshing side dish with a touch of sweetness.
Ingredients:
- 1 small cabbage, thinly sliced
- 1 apple, julienned
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, combine cabbage and apple.
- In a small bowl, whisk together apple cider vinegar, honey, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Pour dressing over the cabbage and apples; toss to coat.
12. Mushroom and Sage Quinoa
A hearty, nutrient-packed grain dish.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup quinoa
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried sage
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Rinse quinoa under cold water.
- In a pot, bring vegetable broth to a boil.
- Add quinoa, reduce heat, and simmer for about 15 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.
- In a skillet, sauté garlic and mushrooms in olive oil until soft.
- Stir in cooked quinoa, dried sage, salt, and pepper.
13. Spiced Lentil Stew
This hearty stew is packed with protein and fiber.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup dried lentils
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 carrot, sliced
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Heat olive oil in a large pot, sauté onion and garlic until translucent.
- Add carrots, lentils, cumin, and paprika.
- Stir in vegetable broth; bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 25-30 minutes until lentils are tender.
- Season with salt and pepper.
14. Balsamic Glazed Chicken and Vegetables
A flavorful one-pan meal that’s easy to make.
Ingredients:
- 2 chicken breasts
- 1 cup Brussels sprouts, halved
- 1 cup butternut squash, cubed
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
- In a large bowl, toss Brussels sprouts and butternut squash with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Arrange chicken and vegetables on a baking sheet.
- Drizzle balsamic vinegar over the chicken and vegetables.
- Roast for 25-30 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.
15. Pumpkin and Black Bean Tacos
A vegetarian taco that’s hearty and flavorful.
Ingredients:
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper
- 8 small corn tortillas
- Toppings: avocado, cilantro, lime
Instructions:
- In a pan, heat black beans and pumpkin puree over medium heat.
- Add cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Cook until heated through.
- Spoon filling into corn tortillas.
- Top with avocado, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.
16. Lemon Herb Roasted Salmon
A simple yet elegant dish that’s rich in omega-3s.
Ingredients:
- 2 salmon fillets
- 1 lemon, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried dill
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place salmon fillets skin-side down.
- Drizzle olive oil and sprinkle dried dill, salt, and pepper over the salmon.
- Lay lemon slices over the fillets.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until salmon flakes easily with a fork.
17. Cranberry Almond Energy Bites
These snack-sized treats are perfect for a quick boost.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup oats
- 1/2 cup almond butter
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup chopped almonds
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, mix oats, almond butter, honey, cranberries, and almonds.
- Form the mixture into bite-sized balls.
- Chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour before serving.
18. Spinach and Tomato Egg Muffins
Perfect for meal prep, these egg muffins are protein-packed.
Ingredients:
- 6 eggs
- 1 cup spinach, chopped
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- In a bowl, whisk eggs, salt, and pepper.
- Stir in spinach and cherry tomatoes.
- Pour the mixture into a greased muffin tin, filling each cup about 3/4 full.
- Sprinkle feta cheese on top.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until muffins are set.
Conclusion
Embracing a new season is a great opportunity to refresh both our menus and our health goals. These 18 fall recipes that will make you lose weight fast are not just easy to make; they’re also loaded with the vibrant flavors and wholesome ingredients that autumn offers.
From hearty soups and stews to fresh salads and protein-packed mains, there's something here for everyone to enjoy. Changing your diet doesn't have to be a chore when you can indulge in meals that are both delicious and beneficial for your waistline. Give these recipes a try, and you may just find that losing weight never tasted so good. Happy fall, and happy eating!